Efeito de um treinamento de equilíbrio em um grupo de mulheres idosas da comunidade: estudo piloto de uma abordagem específica, não sistematizada e breve

Objetivo: Verificar o efeito de um programa de treinamento de equilíbrio, de curto período, com exercícios específicos e sem associação de treinamentos sistematizados de força muscular, em um grupo de mulheres idosas residentes na comunidade. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo piloto com seis mulheres que participaram de uma intervenção visando o treinamento de equilíbrio. Os testes de campo utilizados foram: “Escala de Equilíbrio Funcional de Berg – Versão Brasileira”, Timed Up & Go, Chair Stand, e Marcha Tandem. Entrevistas foram realizadas sobre percepção de saúde e medo de quedas. O treinamento consistiu em atividades realizadas em grupo, com tarefas isoladas e circuitos fechados. Foi realizado duas vezes por semana, com uma hora de duração em cada dia, por um período de oito semanas. Resultados: Verificou-se que houve melhora no equilíbrio a partir da análise dos resultados obtidos. Conclusão: Um treinamento de equilíbrio específico, não sistematizado, breve e realizado em um grupo de mulheres idosas da comunidade mostrou ter um efeito na melhora das medidas de equilíbrio, porém ainda se faz necessário avaliar o impacto isolado do treino de força sistematizado sobre as medidas de equilíbrio.Objective: verify the effect of a group program of balance training in a short period, with specific exercises and without association of systematic strength training, on a community dwelling older women. Methods: it is a pilot study with six women that participate of an intervention with balance training. Tests: BBS (Brazilian version); Timed Up & Go, Chair Stand and Tandem Gait. Interview: health perception and fear of falling. Training: Group activities with isolated exercises and closed circuits. It was done twice a week, with duration of one hour per day, for a period of eight weeks. Results: The training, without systematic strength training, improved the balance of participants. Conclusions: An specific, non-systematic, short and at group balance training of a community dwelling older women had some effects on balance measures, however, it is necessary to assessment the isolated impact of a systematic strength training on the balance measures

CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA DOR EM PACIENTES COM DOENÇA DE PARKINSON

FUNDAMENTO: A dor é um sintoma não motor frequente em indivíduos com doença de Parkinson (DP). Pode estar associada aos sinais motores ou surgir no início da doença. Os mecanismos subjacentes à dor na DP ainda não são bem elucidados e muitos fatores podem influenciá-la, como o uso de levodopa e a presença de outros sintomas não motores, como depressão. OBJETIVOS: Descrever a prevalência e caracterizar a dor em pacientes com DP de um centro terciário referência em pesquisa e assistência clínica. MÉTODOS: Foram recrutados pacientes com diagnóstico de DP idiopática a partir do ambulatóriode neurologia do Centro de Especialidades Médicas (CEM) da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte/MG. Um questionário para coleta de dados sociodemográficos e clínicos foi aplicado. A função cognitiva, gravidade dos sinais e sintomas, depressão, distúrbios de sono e fadiga foram avaliados. A dor foi mensurada por meio do Questionário de McGill e Escala Visual Numérica. RESULTADOS: Participaram do estudo 45 pacientes, sendo que 19 (42,2%) apresentavam queixa de dor e, em sua maioria, após o diagnóstico de DP (74%). Não houvediferença entre os grupos com dor e sem dor para os parâmetros clínicos avaliados, com exceção da fadiga que foi mais prevalente (p=0,036) e mais grave (p=0,031) nos pacientes com dor. CONCLUSÃO: A dor é um sintoma prevalente em pacientes com DP atendidos no CEM. A partir dos resultados obtidos pelo McGill, observou-se que a dor crônica e profunda, acometendo principalmente os membros inferiores, com importantes aspectos sensoriais e afetivos, foi comum nos pacientes avaliados.

Impact of changes in balance and walking capacity on the quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor symptoms that cause the decline of functional capacity and affect the quality of life (QoL). Objective: To evaluate the impact of changes in balance and walking capacity on the PD. Methods: The instruments used were: Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale (HY), Schwab and England scale (SE), quality of life questionnaire (PDQ-39), Berg balance Scale (BBS) and six-minute walk test (6MWT). Results: Thirty-six patients with mean disease duration of 7.3 years were assessed. Lower scores on the BBS and shorter distances walked during the 6MWT correlated with a poorer perception of QoL. This correlation occurred at the expense of the mobility and daily living activities domains. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the impairment in balance while performing functional activities and the reduction in walking capacity are important factors that negatively affect the perception of QoL in PD patients

Effects of resistance training in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is considered the main cause of pain and disability in the elderly. Objective: To evaluate the effect of systematic muscle strength training on functional performance and quality of life in individuals with knee OA. Methods: Subjects with knee OA (n = 27, 46 - 76 years) completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Medical Outcomes Short-Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36), and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires, musculoskeletal assessments, and 10-repetition maximum and timed 10-meter walk tests both before and after training. The training consisted of an exercise resistance program and stretches for 12 weeks (three sessions of 80 each per week). Results: Twenty-two subjects completed the training. Reduced overall scores and WOMAC physical function indicated improved functional performance (p elt; 0.001) as well as increased gait speed (p elt; 0.001). The perception of pain decreased after training, as evidenced by the VAS, WOMAC pain domain, and SF-36 scores (p elt; 0.001). Quality of life improvements occurred primarily in the areas of pain, functional capacity, and SF-36 physical aspects. No change in body mass index was noted (p = 0.93). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the combination of resistance training for the quadriceps, gluteus, and abdominal muscles could be a viable alternative to improving functionality and quality of life in patients with knee OA. However, more studies are necessary to confirm our findings

Respiratory function and functional capacity in chronic stroke patients

Introduction: Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke results in weakness of the trunk muscles and physical unfitness. Objectives: To evaluate respiratory changes caused by stroke and correlate them with the functional capacity of chronic stroke patients who were treated at the Clinical Center of Physical Therapy of the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Betim. Methods: Fifteen patients were recruited for assessment of respiratory function and functional capacity. We measured maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), peak expiratory flow (PEF), vital capacity (VC), and functional capacity using the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Test results were compared with reference values using an unpaired Student´s t-test or the Mann-Whitney test. Respiratory variables were correlated with the distance walked in the 6MWT using Spearman´s correlation test. Results: The sample had a mean age of 58.2 ± 13.4 years, and most patients had a diagnosis of ischemic stroke and left hemiparesis. The following values were obtained: MIP (47.7 ± 22.2 cmH2O); MEP (47.5 ± 20.3 cmH2O); PEF (351.3 ± 90.8 L/min); VC (3.0 ± 0.91 L); and 6MWT (222.4 ± 101.6 m). The MIP, MEP, PEF, and 6MWT values measured in this study were statistically significantly lower (p elt; 0.001) than the reference values. There was no statistically significant correlation between the distance walked in the 6 MWT and respiratory variables (p > 0.005). Conclusion: Our results suggest that, despite the decrease in respiratory muscle strength, PEF, and VC, these variables did not correlate with the functional capacity of the chronic stroke patients assessed in this study

Effects of resistance training in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is considered the main cause of pain and disability in the elderly. Objective: To evaluate the effect of systematic muscle strength training on functional performance and quality of life in individuals with knee OA. Methods: Subjects with knee OA (n = 27, 46 - 76 years) completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Medical Outcomes Short-Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36), and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires, musculoskeletal assessments, and 10-repetition maximum and timed 10-meter walk tests both before and after training. The training consisted of an exercise resistance program and stretches for 12 weeks (three sessions of 80 each per week). Results: Twenty-two subjects completed the training. Reduced overall scores and WOMAC physical function indicated improved functional performance (p < 0.001) as well as increased gait speed (p < 0.001). The perception of pain decreased after training, as evidenced by the VAS, WOMAC pain domain, and SF-36 scores (p < 0.001). Quality of life improvements occurred primarily in the areas of pain, functional capacity, and SF-36 physical aspects. No change in body mass index was noted (p = 0.93). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the combination of resistance training for the quadriceps, gluteus, and abdominal muscles could be a viable alternative to improving functionality and quality of life in patients with knee OA. However, more studies are necessary to confirm our findings

Respiratory function and functional capacity in chronic stroke patients 1

Abstract Introduction: Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke results in weakness of the trunk muscles and physical unfitness. Objectives: To evaluate respiratory changes caused by stroke and correlate them with the functional capacity of chronic stroke patients who were treated at the Clinical Center of Physical Therapy of the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Betim. Methods: Fifteen patients were recruited for assessment of respiratory function and functional capacity. We measured maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), peak expiratory flow (PEF), vital capacity (VC), and functional capacity using the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Test results were compared with reference values using an unpaired Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney test. Respiratory variables were correlated with the distance walked in the 6MWT using Spearman's correlation test. Results: The sample had a mean age of 58.2 ± 13.4 years, and most patients had a diagnosis of ischemic stroke and left hemiparesis. The following values were obtained: MIP (47.7 ± 22.2 cmH2O); MEP (47.5 ± 20.3 cmH2O); PEF (351.3 ± 90.8 L/min); VC (3.0 ± 0.91 L); and 6MWT (222.4 ± 101.6 m). The MIP, MEP, PEF, and 6MWT values measured in this study were statistically significantly lower (p 0.005). Conclusion: Our results suggest that, despite the decrease in respiratory muscle strength, PEF, and VC, these variables did not correlate with the functional capacity of the chronic stroke patients assessed in this study